Keeping up with the charter schools in Miss.While charter schools have a reputation for innovative instruction, many public schools in Mississippi are keeping pace -- integrating technology and offering specialized programs, such as the International Baccalaureate and arts integration. The state also has two popular residential high schools -- Mississippi School of the Arts in Brookhaven and the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus. The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Miss.)
(2/17)

Workshops introduce first-graders to the writing processEach Monday, first-grade language arts teacher Gini Shoulberg holds a writing workshop for students. While they may struggle with spelling and grammar, she says the most important part is that the students feel comfortable with the writing process. Once students are done writing, their work is "translated" -- or edited -- and students recopy their corrected work. Their writing is then typed, and students are able to add illustrations. Lawrence Journal-World (Kansas)
(2/18)

Are you staking your reputation on a program that is not research-proven?With six peer-reviewed studies in scientific journals, Lexia’s level of efficacy research is unparalleled. Many other publishers’ in-house studies lack treatment and control groups. These programs are “research-based” but haven’t been proven to work. Lexia’s methodology is not just research-based… it is research-proven.
Learn more.

School Leadership

What are the characteristics of great teachers?Great teachers love children, have mastered classroom management and are knowledgeable about their subject matter, suggests Annette Breaux, an internationally renowned author and speaker. In this blog post, Breaux writes that most great teachers are not born, but rather develop over time as a result of hard work. Always humble, top teachers also are patient, have a sense of humor, are problem-solvers and always work hard to ensure learning is fun. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education
(2/15)

Ill. high school plans weekly collaboration for teachersOfficials at Geneva High School in Illinois studied professional learning communities for 18 months before seeking to start their own, which could be implemented during first period every Thursday beginning this spring. While teachers are collaborating, students would be able to pick from multiple educational activities, such as working in the computer lab or the tutoring center. "We have been focusing on what it can do for teachers, how their teaching could be enhanced, which ultimately will equate to success for all students," principal Thomas Rogers said. Kane County Chronicle (St. Charles, Ill.)
(2/15)

Smithsonian goes online with activities for studentsThe Smithsonian Center for Education and Museum Studies has started a program to encourage research, discovery and creative collaboration with project-based learning. Called Smithsonian Quests, the online resource awards digital badges to students upon completion of their activities. The projects are aimed at students of various grade levels, and can be done as part of classroom lessons or independently. T.H.E. Journal
(2/14)

"Should be on every teacher's must-read list" (Jim Trelease). In Defense of Read-Aloud, by Steven Layne, challenges and inspires teachers of all grades and subjects to make the most of this essential literacy practice. Includes valuable tips on preparation, book selection, and how to read with expression to engage students. Preview the entire book online!

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by ASCD SmartBrief readers in the past week.

L.A. teachers, superintendent disagree on evaluationsLos Angeles Schools superintendent John Deasy released a memo on Friday calling for as much as 30% of teachers' evaluations to be based on students' test scores. However, the United Teachers Los Angeles has said there should be no fixed percentage and its president, Warren Fletcher, expressed concern about Deasy's memo, pointing out that Deasy recently agreed to a pact with teachers that took the set percentage off the table. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model)
(2/16)

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ASCD News

Webinar: Ask Dr. Judy -- Patterning to construct transferable concept memoryJoin educator and neurologist Judy Willis for the latest Ask Dr. Judy webinar on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. EDT. Willis will explain how students can build their enduring understanding. Register now, and if you've missed any episodes in the series, stop by the ASCD webinar archive to catch up.

Contribute to EL's May Tell Me About columnEducational Leadership's May issue addresses poverty, and we'd like to hear about your experiences with this topic. In 200 words or less, tell us about a time you saw the benefits of socioeconomic diversity in action in your classroom or school. Selected responses will appear in "The Faces of Poverty" issue, either in print or online. All responses must be received by March 1. Submit your story.